PUB landlord Anthony Meleady will resume his former position as a town crier in Darwen.

Darwen Town Council has launched its own official town crier after funds were allocated to have a new suit made.

Mr Meleady had been the town crier, run by local historians from the Darwen Research Group, until a dispute in 2012 when he ‘resigned’.

Since then, Darryl Counsell has assumed the role, but after a second row between the council and the Research Group, the council chose to set up its own town crier for official town council events. Mr Counsell remains the Research Group’s representative.

At the council’s meeting this week, Mr Meleady, who runs The Engineers Arms in Duckworth Street, said a quote had been obtained for a new suit to be made and he was happy to take up the role for the town council.

During the public forum at the town hall on Tuesday, Mr Meleady said: “We have resolved the town crier issue.

“We have found someone who can make us a uniform at the correct price.

“We have ordered it and it will work out about £700 and will be ready within four weeks.

“Everything is top quality and the firm that is making it is actually in Bournemouth.

“I am happy to carry on and do the job if the councillors wish for me to do so.”

Coun Paul Browne, who was mayor of the town council while Mr Meleady was town crier, said: “When he was the town crier it was an absolute honour for me when he was there with me.

“It was brilliant and I am really chuffed to be going ahead with this.”

Sunnyhurst councillor Brian Taylor asked about the bell that would be used.

The bell used by Mr Meleady previously and now by Mr Counsell was commissioned by the Research Group and is a replica of the historic bell, which is now in Blackburn Museum.